Record-breaking heat takes toll on England

England have been humbled in record-breaking heat, with Australia on the cusp of a 4-0 Ashes series win after dominating day four of the fifth test in Sydney.

The tourists reached 4-93 at stumps yesterday, requiring a further 210 runs to make Australia bat again.

Earlier, the Sydney Cricket Ground became a field of nightmares for England’s bowlers as Australia batted to a lead of 303 runs in hellish temperatures before declaring at 7/649.

Heat monitors at the SCG reported a “feels like” temperature of 57.6C. Records suggest there hasn’t been such a hot day of Ashes cricket in Australia since a 43.1C heatwave struck Adelaide about 110 years ago.

Joe Root’s side baked in the field during the worst of it, fetching balls from all over as Shaun (156) and Mitch Marsh (101) shared a 169-run stand and two emotional hugs as each brother reached three figures.

More than 33,000 brave spectators showed up to watch the first session. Even in the shade 43C.

Spinner Mason Crane endured the worst debut ever by an English bowler with 1/193 from 48 overs.

Surprisingly, Aussie skipper Steve Smith chose to declare about 2pm and take the field in peak heat.

During the Marsh brothers’ innings, for a moment of crazed jubilation, it appeared the pair were still living by backyard cricket rules.

After Mitchell drove Tom Curran off the back foot through the covers to bring up his second test century, he turned back to hug his older brother mid-pitch who had come back for a second run.

They then hurriedly split to make their crease, avoiding what would have been one of the most calamitous run outs in test cricket.

Allrounder Mitch Marsh was widely praised at the end of day three for having the maturity to play it safe and deny his brother a chance to chase a hundred in the final over.

Elsewhere in Sydney, world tennis No 11 Kritsina Mladenovic was forced to the sidelines at the Sydney International. She was visibly struggling as Aussie Ellen Perez took the first set 6-4. The French star sat with her head in her hands as the heat took its toll.

She retired soon after with Perez ahead 4-2 in the second set.